Water Based Poly?

I have traditionally used oil based polyurethanes, mostly Minwax because of
availability, but I've used General Finishes in recent years too. The long
dry times can be a real pain and tend to collect lots of dust. The fumes
are also annoying indoors. Another issue I have had with oil based polys is
that they tend to dissolve and pick up oil based gel stains on the first
coat.
So last year I tried Minwax Polycrylic Water Based poly on a bed frame. It
applied easily with a brush, and seems to be fairly durable. Best of all,
no odors and it dries quickly.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find the Polycrylic at my local Lowes, so I
picked up some "Minwax Oil-Modified Water Based Polyurethane". It seemed to
apply nicely, didn't pick up the stain like oil based poly, dries quickly,
and doesn't have any odor. Unfortunately, it only seems to come in 1/2 pint
or gallon cans. I don't need a gallon, but I've already gone through two
1/2 pint cans on the first coat. It is also rather expensive. I'll probably
pick up enough 1/2 pint cans to finish this project, but doubt I would use
it again just due to availability. Kind of a shame.
Anyway, I am curious what other water based poly you would recommend?
Anthony Watson
www.mountainsoftware.com
www.watsondiy.com

I use Varathane floor finish, often. There's an oil & water base. Our loc
al Lowes carries both. I don't use the oil based.
Water based: About $45 a gallon. The shelf life is pretty good, too. I
use a gallon maybe every 6 months to a year. My latest project may take ha
lf a gallon. It's pretty durable, too... should be, it's a floor finish.
I put it on a CDX plywood sewing table, for upholstery. Still in good sh
ape.
It doesn't yellow, as spar urethane does. I like the results I get from i
t. I use it most often on salvaged lumber and not-so-fine of woodworking p
rojects.
For my higher end stuff, more refined projects, I spray lacquer.
Water based Varathane project:
Here, Braxton is putting the third coat on a mantle, salvaged cypress: http
s://www.flickr.com/photos/43836144@N04/15385110175/in/photostream
The installed mantle: https://www.flickr.com/photos/43836144@N04/1538467471
2/in/photostream
Sonny

I've been happy with Varathane water based. The local Lowes
stocks it on an intermittant basis (for some reason everything
in the finishing aisle is intermittant - as if the manager
keeps changing his mind about what to stock).
I noticed in Home Depot the other day that some of the Minwax
products were only available in tiny cans, not quarts. Dunno
if that's Minwax being stupid or Home Depot.
John

Is the Minwax in an oil base ? - restrictions to volume might be the issue.
I ran into this in Ca and could buy in my county Quarts, but over the
hill in congestion city only in pints and half pints. So after a
while, they put our county on restrictions because of the other county.
They just came over the hill and bought what they wanted.
Martin

The poly I was buying is called "water based, oil modified", whatever that
means.

Lowes sells the same poly in gallon sizes, so I doubt volume is a factor.
They just don't carry that poly in quart sizes.
They also sell regular oil based poly in quart sizes.
Actually, I haven't really seen the Minwax water based oil modified poly in
quart sizes online either. Kind of weird.
Anthony Watson
www.mountainsoftware.com
www.watsondiy.com

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